Are you new to horse ownership? Hopefully the experienced, seasoned, and beginner trail and endurance riders who contribute to these pages can save you some time and money. Probably not though. It seems to be human nature to try one magical fix after another. Sadly, there is no magic saddle, saddle pad, girth, cinch, bit, or training method that will eliminate the work of learning to ride and developing a partnership with your horse. It takes years to feel comfortable and the learning never ends.
Am I there? Not by a long shot. As a kind of sick, tearful exercise, I decided to list all of things I have tried over the years:
Bob Marshall treeless saddle, Boz saddle, Specialized saddle(s), Trailwise saddle(s), Freeform treeless saddle, Stonewall saddle Pelham bit, snaffle bit, Myler 5 in 1 bit, Waterford bit, Kimberwicke bit, full cheek snaffle, Skito pad, Supracor pad, wool felt pad, leather bridle, beta bridle, flat reins, leather reins, rope reins, mohair girths, neoprene girths, Easyboot originals, Easyboot gloves, Easyboot Back Country Boots, Cavallo boots, Renegade boots, shoes, Camelbaks, water bottle holders, cantle packs, pommel packs, numerous horse books,
breath,
bumper pull 2 horse trailer, Suburban, Chevy 2500 flatbed, Ford 350 flatbed, Exiss 3 horse gooseneck, Chevy 2500 HD pick up with a pop up camper; boarding at a stable, pasture boarding; lessons with at least 7 trainers, Julie Goodnight Riding DVDs, Clinton Anderson DVDs, Equissage DVD, chiropractor for my horse(s); all kinds of grooming equipment, electrolytes, heart monitor, GoPro, Garmin GPS, walkie talkies, whistles, helmets, Hit Air protective vest, portable corrals, rump rugs, sponges,
breath,
and let’s not forget horses: Fancy, Trigger, Buddy, Jazz, Willow, Sadie, Coco, Kali, and Prowessa.